Trossachs Ton 2012

[Rondo]

After a rain lashed Saturday, Sunday brought overcast skies, light winds, moderate temperatures and a 30% chance of rain.........perfect for a 100mile ride through the Trossachs.

Starting at Stirling High School the route takes you out along flat fast roads for the first 16miles or so, thus fooling you to believe that with the high pace being set you could be back in Stirling for lunch....not so, for after this the course kicks you in the stomach and keeps kicking until your back in the car park of Stirling High.

Fair to say I'm not at my fittest, but I honestly didn't expect this event to be the challenge that it turned out to be. The first real climb is the Dukes Pass, a steady climb of reasonable length to warm the legs and just enough to slow you to a pace that allows the midgy swarms to attach themselves to every inch of uncovered skin. I am writing this on the Tuesday after the Sunday event and my legs look like they have ben attacked with a red dot making bingo pen (don't ask how I know that!!).

Anyway, a fast descent to Loch Katrine and a swift loop around the loch with it's short sharp climbs and drops. Enough to really sting the legs to the point that you begin to question your sanity for selecting the 100mile and not the 100km. Heading back to Aberfoyle and a chance to check out some amazing looking property's with stunning manicured gardens set amongst amazing scenery. (from the road I must add)

Back at Aberfoyle following the Loch Katrine Loop and a chance to refuel, the food stops on this ride are very well stocked and just what you need. Also on hand were bike mechanics to give assistance where necessary. After a short stop at the Rob Roy Hotel, a Roast Beef Roll and a cup of gorgeous pea soup, it was back onto the bike and heading to the Crow Road.

At this point I have to mention my riding companions Michael O'Donnell and Greig Scott. This pair worked as a tag team, Michael setting a high tempo to the 100mile/100km split at Aberfoyle, followed by Greig ripping it up for the rest of the ride. Before long I was in a world of pain as climb after climb came and went and we still hadn't reached the Crow Road.

73miles gone and there it was......The Crow! Another long slow gradual climb out of Lennoxtown (Home of "The Celic's" Training Ground). Pain and misery as the rain started and the road kicked up. At this point I was turning squares and chewing my handlebar tape. This felt as though it was never ending, I had shot my bolt early in the ride and this was payback. After much struggle I crossed over the top of the climb where Greig was waiting, this is his back yard so he knew the descent and what a difference following him down through long sweeping bends and switchbacks.....Reward for the effort of the climb.

However, as I said before, this course just keeps on kicking, having descended into the valley below, you immediately turn and climb straight back out, not as severe a climb as the Crow Road but long and relentless. This continues for miles, loads of short sharp climbs with false summits aplenty.

After a day of climbing Stirling must have changed altitude because I'm sure that I went up more than I came down!

All talk of pain and misery aside, this was a fantastic event. Once away from Stirling the scenery is amazing. The organisation and support on the ride is first class and the route is challenging. In fact both the 100mile and 100km are a real challenge. An ideal event if your prepairing for a late Ironman or Etape event. Will I do it again.............oh yes

Rondo

[reid]

Well done Mr Nolan, I hope you left some food at the stops for the riders behind you?

[berit]

Well done Ron - sounds like a tough day out there. We did a similar route not long ago on the Robert Millar sportive which included the Crow Road and Tak Ma Doon, as well as Carron Valley and Loch Katrine. We even went "off piste" so we could take in Dukes pass while we were in the area...and also because we got directed the wrong way by a marshall not paying attention...

Unfortunately the food stations were not so well stocked, and I found it a pretty tough day too because of the horrendous road surfaces for nearly the whole route (nothing to do with Mitch beasting me and also doing the Cairn O'Mount Challenge the day before!). Sounds like the Trossachs Ton would be the one to choose between the two of them for next year, although I think I might miss them both and find an alternative until the roads get resurfaced...my bum still hasn't recovered!!

Thought about the Braw Lads Baw Breaker on 1st?

Berit